green smoothies kids will drink!

Maybe it was initially a hard transition for me because I worked at Jamba Juice for 4 years in high school/college...but now I sure like my smoothies healthy.

Up until last year I used to make green smoothies a few times a week but my Ninja Blender just wasn't cutting it (literally), and we would be chomping away while we were attempting to drink. When our across-the-street neighbors went out of town I "borrowed" their Vita Mix. After a week I was sold and a few days later I was the proud owner of my very own.

I use it at least once a day (mostly for green smoothies for breakfast). My kids love them and it counts for Spencer's and my entire breakfast. I try to get about 10 different fruits/vegetables, depending on what I can get at that time of year. And my smoothies are usually not green...we like blueberries a lot so that changes the color to more of a purple when I use those.

It makes enough for all 3 kids to have smaller-sized cups, and Spencer and me to have tall glasses (about 6 cups total). While you don't need a fancy power blender, it definitely helps. And, I have the comfort of knowing that at least my kids are getting some greens every day.

Here is my typical green smoothie (equals a full blender):
2+ cups water (more or less depending on consistency during blending)
2 handfuls spinach
2 handfuls kale
About 10-12 baby carrots
10 strawberries (frozen or fresh)
1 small apple
Handful of frozen peach slices
Blueberries/Blackberries/Raspberries
Grapes, or any other fruit you have
Flaxseed (1-2 teaspoons)
Ice, if necessary
Blend, and add more water or ice depending on the consistency you want. What I love the most is that these taste slightly different because I always use different ingredients.

I love this sight!

*By the way, my very favorite fruit in green soothies is grapes. I would never have guessed it, becuase I generally don't like things that are grape-flavored, but they sure add a lot to the smoothies.
**Bananas add a creamy texture but also a strong flavor. Unless you love bananas, I would only use half of one, or none at all.

18

Oh, 18 months. How he is still SO MUCH my little baby, but has the independence of a growing toddler boy. I love him with my entire heart. I wish I could bottle part of him up because I truly enjoy him, and this age is my very favorite. I can't believe that when Emma was this age I had a new tiny baby... how can it be that I still feel like he is so much my baby?

If we hadn't had stake conference today, it would have been his first day in nursery. Next week.

He caused us a bit of stress the past 9 days. Lots of visits to blood labs, xray rooms and doctor's offices. Now that MY Tanner is back I am so extra grateful for who he is. He loves me, he loves my attention, and I hear "mom" about 400 times a day. I love it every time. I love when he gets right in front of my face and those gorgeous eyes look inside of me. Pure heaven. I don't love the screaming, but I know it is temporary.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of this little rascal.

pizza friday

For the last several years Friday has been pizza night at our house. Everyone looks forward to it. Well, everyone but Emma. The only food Emma doesn't love is pizza. And because I am economical and health-conscious, I always make it myself. Years ago I got a recipe from Spencer's mom but I have modified it slightly over time. In fact, I think it's probably different every time I make it. But it's always good, and always has a thick crust. Which is the most important thing.

In case you want to be not-so-original like us and have homemade pizza every Friday night, here is my recipe. Pretty much. By the way, it also works well for cinnamon rolls if you have extra dough (and use vegetable oil instead of olive oil)...

Pizza Dough
2 1/2 cups very warm water
2 1/2 Tbsp yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
7 cups flour (throw in some whole wheat flour if you want, but not more than 3 cups)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or olive)

Mix water, yeast and sugar. Let rise for 35 minutes. Add salt, flour, and oil. Knead and let rise for 1 hour. Roll/stretch out dough onto a pan or stone. Add pasta/pizza/marinara sauce, mozzarella/provolone cheese, oregano and whatever toppings you want! Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes (check on it).

Makes enough for two large pizzas or three small (or two small...and cinnamon rolls!) I often half the recipe and just do one big pizza but I'm realizing that isn't going to fly any longer. I also have a recipe for white pizza sauce topped with tomato and basil if anyone is interested in that...

*Note: I read something the other day about how pizza should always be cooked at the highest temperature your oven will go to. Well, mine will go as high as I tell it to, so tonight I cooked our pizza at 450 for 8 minutes. I didn't notice a difference but maybe real foodies could have...?

The magic

I'm not gonna blog about all the barfing (you're welcome), all the lethargy, or even all the presents. Because what I want to remember from this Christmas is the pure magic. I don't know how long the magic will last, but I'm going to hold on to it as long as possible. I will give you one example that a few of us really enjoyed witnessing.

On Christmas Eve, as we left the house to see Christmas lights we had one really anxious little 6 year old boy who was so concerned we would miss Santa. We were even able to assure him that Santa was a safe distance away somewhere over the Atlantic (thanks NORAD), but he was still worried. As we flew under airplanes he at first would get anxious, but then would realize they were just airplanes and Santa was not coming yet. Later, as we drank hot chocolate and prepared to drive home he suddenly shouted "Look!" He ran to show us what was clearly Santa and his sleigh, red flashing light (nose) and all, flying quickly and silently through the sky. We were quiet as we watched it. Well, I should confess that I was watching Tyler. The look on his face was pricless. Tyler knew we had to get home; we ALL knew we had to get home.

What a fun thing Santa is; I love everything about him. I love how he no longer "tops" us in gifts, but leaves the fun stuff. I even love how Tanner pulls a face each time we talk about him. I mostly love that Santa came before all of us got sick.

Gotta be the good life

With all the chaos around me this week, my kids managed to bring me back to the true spirit of Christmas and what it's about. I've been so busy shopping, preparing for parties, YW lessons, nativities, neighbor gifts, class parties, etc. that I haven't spent a lot of time enjoying just thinking about Christmas and spending precious time with my little family.

It's easy to get caught up in the credit card, to buy something online in a matter of seconds with a memorized card number, and move on to the next thing. Last week Emma decided to spend every single dollar she had ($5) on Tyler when she found a gift she knew he would absolutely die to have. She had wanted to spend her money on some cute stuff at a boutique, for herself, but once she saw that thing for Tyler, she didn't even think twice. Better, she didn't ask me to chip in or help at all. She sacrificed her wants for her brother, and did it so happily.

All week Tyler has been asking me to take him shopping to buy Emma's Christmas present. It didn't work out to go at all this week because we just didn't have the chance, but I was free yesterday at 8 a.m. and he jumped at the opportunity. He had a whole $10 and he was determined to spend all of it on her. After choosing two really thoughtful and sweet things for her, he still had $3 left over and kept looking for something else to buy her. When we got home and he showed his dad his gifts for Emma he was absolutely beaming.  It really humbled me. Spencer was in awe at how genuinely happy Tyler was to be giving something to Emma that he had worked hard to save for, for two months. Sacrificing makes it all the more worth it. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning when they open their gifts from each other.

Of course gift giving isn't the real reason for the holiday, but I feel like they brought me back to earth. I love having these selfless, pure children as my own.

However, lest you think it's roses and rainbows here all the time, let me remind you of our reality. Maybe my big kids are pretty darn near perfect children, but Tanner is a good balance and reminds me that no one is perfect. :) He's not a big fan of picture-taking, or anything else really...

But we did manage to get one where he wasn't crying, so it instantly became our Christmas card. A Christmas miracle indeed.

Merry Christmas, friends. May you remember what all the December chaos is really about.

sugar cookies

I've been telling people for years that my mom's sugar cookie recipe is the best. I've tried several others, including those ones with so much butter they are dense and...just taste like butter. Those ones might keep their shape perfectly, but I'd rather have one that tastes like perfection and maybe doesn't quite look like it. These are fluffy and soft and oh so good. Try them this Christmas! (Like I just did. The YW are decorating them tonight.)

A few months ago my mom asked for the recipe because she doesn't really use a recipe and goes by memory whenever she makes these. I sent it to her and she was clear in her response that the recipe is not hers. I can still vouch for her cookies being GOOD, but these ones are too and now I don't know where the credit goes. I guess it can go to me!

Sugar Cookies
3/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 spoon-sized dollop sour cream
3 1/4 cups flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt

Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in cream cheese and sour cream. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix. Chill for several hours or overnight. Roll out in sections, using flour as necessary. Cut out with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes.

Frost with canned frosting or homemade...up to you! (I do both.) Happy baking!